Need a new Laptop - any suggestions?
Microcontrolled
Posts: 2,461
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As some of you know, for the past 5 years I have used a mash-up computer for programming. It started out as a Windows 98 HP compact, but then i put the HD in a newer Gateway running Windows ME. Later I upgraded to XP with a recovery disk from another computer, and about the same time I raided 2 HPs for RAM and put them in the Gateway. Over the course of 2/1.5 years, it crashed twice. Eventually I got a Dell Inspiron desktop which I moved all the parts except the motherboard into.
Yesterday it crashed (it had before on the Dell) again and the bootloader was throwing an error. I finally after messing with it got it to boot, which I backed up ALL my data. After shutting it down again and starting it back up, I got multiple errors, including keyboard and mouse errors.
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ANYWAY, I finally decided that I need a new computer. And preferably a laptop. Right now I'm using a borrowed computer (Gateway Laptop) running Ubuntu (my doing :-)). I looked at WalMart today at the laptops (hold your tongue here...) and found one I liked well, an Acer Aspire with 3GB RAM 250GB HD 1.89GHz processor. It has a built in webcam, speakers, HDMI out, number pad, gesture control, and 17.3" LED screen for $500. I liked this one the best, even though there where more capable computers there. However, Acer isn't a top computer brand, and I wanted your opinion on it.
So there's my option, but I want your opinion: what is your laptop of choice? I'm comfortable with spending $500, and might be able to stretch to $600. I prefer an Intel processor, although I could live with an AMD Vision if it outweighs heavy enough. Disk drive is a must. In addition to programming I will also be working with animation rendering in Blender 3D which really takes a toll on your computer.
Your opinion is valuable to me.
Thanks,
Micro
As some of you know, for the past 5 years I have used a mash-up computer for programming. It started out as a Windows 98 HP compact, but then i put the HD in a newer Gateway running Windows ME. Later I upgraded to XP with a recovery disk from another computer, and about the same time I raided 2 HPs for RAM and put them in the Gateway. Over the course of 2/1.5 years, it crashed twice. Eventually I got a Dell Inspiron desktop which I moved all the parts except the motherboard into.
Yesterday it crashed (it had before on the Dell) again and the bootloader was throwing an error. I finally after messing with it got it to boot, which I backed up ALL my data. After shutting it down again and starting it back up, I got multiple errors, including keyboard and mouse errors.
''/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
ANYWAY, I finally decided that I need a new computer. And preferably a laptop. Right now I'm using a borrowed computer (Gateway Laptop) running Ubuntu (my doing :-)). I looked at WalMart today at the laptops (hold your tongue here...) and found one I liked well, an Acer Aspire with 3GB RAM 250GB HD 1.89GHz processor. It has a built in webcam, speakers, HDMI out, number pad, gesture control, and 17.3" LED screen for $500. I liked this one the best, even though there where more capable computers there. However, Acer isn't a top computer brand, and I wanted your opinion on it.
So there's my option, but I want your opinion: what is your laptop of choice? I'm comfortable with spending $500, and might be able to stretch to $600. I prefer an Intel processor, although I could live with an AMD Vision if it outweighs heavy enough. Disk drive is a must. In addition to programming I will also be working with animation rendering in Blender 3D which really takes a toll on your computer.
Your opinion is valuable to me.
Thanks,
Micro
Comments
If you are like me, You'll want a real serial port. You can still get one if you want, but not at wal-mart.
At home I almost always use my self built desktop.
But in November 2007, I bought an ACER Aspire Laptop to use for travel, during Walmart's Black Friday sale. It was only $299. No problems to date. I have upgraded it 3 times, more memory, larger hard drive and a DVD Burner.
Bought my younger son (he is in college) a Gateway FX Laptop in June 2008, he has had no problems.
My older son used to have a HP Laptop (Compact Computers are also HP), it was a piece of junk, died twice under warranty. Died a 3rd time right after the warranty expired, so he bought a new one, he didn't by an HP for the replacement.
At work we use Dell Laptops, they hold up very well.
Regards,
zappman
Looking only at resolution, I have three laptops/netbooks that I switch between depending on what I'm doing or where I'm taking it:
1) Dell Studio 15 (15" 1920x1200 <- I like high resolutions)
2) Asus UL30VT (13" 1360x768 <- I consider this fairly low resolution for my day-to-day work/play)
3) Asus EEE 1005? (10" 1024x600 <- Usuable primarily because of the convenience of the small overall machine size)
For most of my day-to-day use when I'm sitting at my desk (at home), I'm using a desktop with dual 1600x1200 21" monitors.
I like a lot of screen real estate if I can get it.
If the 17" display is only 1360x768 (or so) which some are, then I would avoid it. If it's 1920x1080 that's good, but it's still a big machine and not very portable. If you don't need the portability, a faster desktop should be cheaper.
I've given up on serial ports on laptops. But I'm pretty happy with FTDI-based USB-serial adapters and I haven't had any issues.
By the way, I really like the UL30VT. It's not the fastest machine out there, but it's small, light, and I can get over 10 hours of light usage out of one battery charge.
In regards to the animation software, look for a laptop that has dedicated video RAM (as opposed to sharing main RAM). I wanted that for my wife's and that is one reason why I settled on the HP media laptop.
Depending on specs needed, there's probably a handful of us on the forums that could send you various parts to piece together a decent machine......
Thanks for the great response!
Micro
Have fun!
The motherboard also exploded once. Yes. Exploded. Lucky for us, they had just issued a recall even though the computer was 2 years old.
The only other HP I've worked with is one for my grandparents and it is a piece of junk. It is allways having network problems and always gettin disconnected (we have to reenter the net key) that are not evident with the Gateway computer we brought over to test it.
So anyway, HPs are not something that I favor. I have had some good experience with Dells, though.
Dual core, easy to slep around and prices are around $300. range.
OBC
-dan
-Phil
I had a one book . Junk ! the bezel cracked the screen in less then a day .
Me its a toughbook or a Mac with 3 way boot .
It would be nice to have a desktop stationed on my workbench for the bulk of my programming, but since my workbench is not a permanent setup in it's current configuration, I have to have a laptop. (the den is also our portrait studio so I am limited on furniture placement) A netbook would be nice for checking email, basic surfing, and propeller programming, but not as the sole laptop I use since I have a few power hungry apps.
But I tend to lean toward Asus for Taiwanese manufacture as they are a major motherboard supplier for others. Again, this is the branded side of their rather vast OEM business. They managed to develop very good relations with Intel by providing motherboard for Intel when Intel's in-house motherboard were not working well.
Recently, my Asus EEEpc died and I purchased a Toshiba NB250 for $300USD with Windows 7 Starter included. There is plenty of room for a dual boot with Ubuntu Netbook as the hard disk is well over 200Gbyte, though they claim it is 200Gbytes (hidden Windows 7 backup glut).
I've always like Toshiba as the tend to build a bit rugged. Their little netbook is quite fine, but only has one mono speaker. I suspect the Koreans are being more aggressive and trying to take business away from Taiwan, so Toshiba might currently offer more value.
The Taiwanese are making the majority of laptops sold globally under various brands. So why not go with the OEM through their in-house brand and save a bit. Gateway doesn't existing in Taiwan, Dell is barely here. Everyone here is happy with Acer and Asus, and I even have a Lemel Core 2 Quad. But I would say that Lemel can be a bit too generic and funky.
HP, Apple, Dell, and IBM - all are generally Taiwanese under the hood.